Reuters People News Summary

July 25, 2012|Reuters

Following is a summary of current people news briefs.

Sally Ride, first U.S. woman in space, dies at 61

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Sally Ride, the firstU.S. woman to travel into space and an advocate for scienceeducation, died on Monday after a 17-month battle withpancreatic cancer, according to her organization, Sally RideScience. She was 61. Ride broke new ground for American womenin 1983 when at the age of 32 she and four male crewmatesblasted off aboard space shuttle Challenger.

Michael Jackson family dispute sparks concern

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Michael Jackson's family membersfound themselves at the center of a media firestorm on Tuesdayover the late singer's will and guardianship of his threechildren that prompted questions about the children, his motherand his multimillion-dollar estate. The executors of Jackson'sestate attempted to stanch reports they plan to seekguardianship of the ``Thriller'' singer's children over82-year-old family matriarch Katherine Jackson, but did expressconcern for protecting the three children from ``undueinfluences, bullying and greed.''

Oscar-winning ``Dog Day Afternoon'' writer Frank Pierson dies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Frank Pierson, who won an Oscar forhis screenplay for the 1975 film ``Dog Day Afternoon,'' died onMonday at age 87, representatives for the writer said. Piersonpassed away of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center inLos Angeles, said the Writers Guild of America, West, a groupfor which Pierson once served as president.